JP2003122498A - Operating direction detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating direction detecting device hardly generating wrong operation to be used for the input operation of various electronic devices such as a cellular phone, an information terminal, a game device and a remote controller. SOLUTION: In the operating direction detecting device, a pair of switch contact points 22A, 22B, 22C or 22D is mounted in each operating direction of oscillation and tilting. When an operating body 24 is operated in one operating direction, a control means 8 detests the operating direction of the operating body 24 only when the pair of switch contact points 22A, 22B, 22C or 22D is connected/disconnected in a prescribed period of time. Accordingly, wrong operation is hardly generated in the operating direction detecting device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation direction detecting device used for input operation of various electronic devices such as mobile phones, information terminals, game machines and remote controllers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as various electronic devices have become more sophisticated and diversified, in addition to switching functions by operating push buttons, L
An increasing number of devices are provided with various operating functions, such as selecting and deciding a menu displayed on the display unit of a CD or the like by an operation direction detecting device.

Such a conventional operation direction detecting device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a conventional operation direction detecting device. In FIG. 3, 1 is an upper case made of an insulating resin, 2 is an operating body made of the same insulating resin, and a circular hole 1A on the upper surface of the upper case 1. An operation knob portion 2A on the upper surface of the operation body 2 projects from the above.

A wiring board 3 has a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces thereof.
A fulcrum portion 2B protruding to the center of the lower surface of the operating body 2 is brought into contact with the support hole 3A provided on the upper surface of the operating body 2, and four push button switches 4 are vertically and horizontally arranged on the upper surface of the wiring board 3 about the support hole 3A. It is implemented.

The operating body 2 is arranged so that it can be swung vertically and tilted horizontally with the fulcrum portion 2B as a fulcrum, and the pressing portion 2C provided at the lower end of the outer periphery has four push button switches. 4 is in contact with the upper surface of the operation shaft 4A.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, the operation body 2 and the push button switch 4 configured as described above are provided with a display unit 6 such as an LCD on the upper side and an electronic unit having a plurality of push buttons 7 on the lower side. A push button switch is attached to a control means 8 formed by a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) and various electronic components mounted on an intermediate part of the device and housed in the electronic device, which is a wiring board (not shown). 4 is electrically connected to form an operation direction detecting device.

In the above configuration, for example, this operating body 2
When is tilted to the left, the operating shaft 4A of the left push button switch 4 is pushed by the pressing portion 2C at the left end of the outer periphery of the operating body 2 and becomes conductive.

Then, this signal is input to the control means 8, and the control means 8 detects that the operating body 2 has been operated to the left, and a plurality of names, telephone numbers, etc. displayed on the display unit 6 are displayed. Move the cursor or pointer that points to the selected part of the menu to the left.

Similarly, when the operating body 2 is tilted rightward or vertically swung, the control means 8 detects that the operating body 2 is operated rightward or vertically, respectively. Then, the cursor or the like displayed on the display unit 6 is moved to the right or up and down, respectively.

As described above, the control means 8 detects the operating direction by operating the operating body 2 in the vertical and horizontal directions, and moves the cursor and the like displayed on the display unit 6 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The operation direction detection device was configured.

[0012]

However, in the above-described conventional operation direction detecting device, when the operation body 2 is operated in the upper left direction with the intention that the operation body 2 is operated in the middle direction of the respective operation directions, the operation direction is detected in the upper direction. When the push button switch 4 is first conducted, the control means 8 detects the upward direction, but when the left push button switch 4 is conducted first, the control means 8 tends to detect the left direction. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide an operation direction detecting device in which an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following constitution.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pair of switch contacts are provided for each swinging and tilting operation direction, and when the operating body is operated in each operating direction, a pair of switch contacts in the operating direction is provided. Is configured so that the control means detects the operating direction of the operating body only when the operating body is contacted and separated within a predetermined time, and when the operating body is operated in each operating direction, Since the control means detects each operation direction by confirming that the pair of switch contacts in the operation direction are in the same electrical contact / separation state for a predetermined time, it is possible to realize an operation direction detection device in which an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur. It has the effect of being able to.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means detects a predetermined operation direction when the switch contact other than the operation direction is brought into contact with or separated from the swing or tilt operation. This has the effect of preventing erroneous detection when a complex operation is performed, such as tilting to the left while swinging upward.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the control means operates in the next operation direction after all the switch contacts have been kept in the same contact / separation state within a predetermined time. For example, when a combined operation of rocking operation and tilting operation is performed, the control means detects
After confirming that the operation has been interrupted and all switch contacts have returned to the same contact / separation state, the next detection is performed, so that it is possible to realize an operation direction detection device in which erroneous detection of the control means does not easily occur. Have an effect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the operating body is formed so as to be able to be pushed backward, and in addition to the function by the swinging operation and the tilting operation, other This has the effect that it is possible to realize an operation direction detection device that can also switch functions.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The same components as those described in the section of the prior art are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify the detailed description.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation direction detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes an insulating resin case, which is a box-shaped case having an upper surface opening. It has an integrated shape by connecting two
Substantially semicircular support portions 21A are provided on both outer walls.

Then, the common contact 12A is provided substantially at the center of the inner bottom surface on the right side of the case 21, and the fixed contacts 13A, 1 are provided above and below the common contact 12A.
3B is planted, and the contact piece 14A and the reversing spring 1 are provided above it.
5A is arranged and a pair of switch contacts 22A, 22B
Are formed.

Similarly, a common contact 12B and fixed contacts 13C and 13D above and below the common contact 12B are planted approximately at the center of the inner bottom surface on the left side of the case 21, and a contact piece 14B and a reversing spring 15B are arranged above it. A pair of switch contacts 22
C and 22D are formed.

Further, the cover 23 covers the upper surface of the opening of the case 21, and above this, the operating body 24 in which the fulcrum portions 24A at the lower ends of both sides are inserted into the supporting portion 21A of the case 21 can be vertically swung and operated. It is mounted so that it can be tilted in the left-right direction orthogonal to this.

The lower surface of the operating body 24 is provided with pressing portions 25A, 25B, 25C and 25D projecting downward, which pass through a plurality of opening holes 23A on the upper surface of the cover 23 and whose tip ends are reversing springs 15A and 15B. Movable parts 16A, 1
It is in contact with 6B, 16C and 16D.

Then, the operating body 24 constructed in this way
And switch contacts 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, etc.
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, a display unit 6 such as an LCD is provided above.
Equipped with a plurality of push buttons 7 in the lower part of the electronic device, and is attached to an intermediate part of the electronic device and has switch contacts 22A, 22B, 2
2C and 22D are electrically connected to a control means 8 formed by a microcomputer and various electronic components on a wiring board (not shown) housed in an electronic device to form an operation direction detecting device. .

In the above structure, when the fulcrum portion 24A of the operating body 24 is swung upward, the pressing portions 25A and 25C on the lower surface of the operating body 24 press the movable portions 16A and 16C of the reversing springs 15A and 15B. Therefore, the contact pieces 14A, 14
By B, the common contact 12A and the fixed contact 13A, and the common contact 12B and the fixed contact 13C simultaneously contact.

That is, a pair of upward switch contacts 22.
A and 22C are turned on at the same time, and the control means 8 detects that the operating body 24 has been swung upward, and is selected from a plurality of menus such as names and telephone numbers displayed on the display unit 6. Move the cursor, pointer, etc., that indicates the point where it is in the upward direction.

Similarly, when the swinging operation is performed downward, the pressing portions 25B and 25D on the lower surface of the operating body 24 press the movable portions 16B and 16D of the reversing springs 15A and 15B, so that the common contact 12A and the fixed contact are fixed. 13B and common contact 1
2B and the fixed contact 13D, that is, the pair of downward switch contacts 22B and 22D are simultaneously conducted, and the control means 8 detects that the operating body 24 has been swung downward and is displayed on the display unit 6. Move the cursor etc. down.

When the operating body 24 is tilted to the left, the pressing portions 25C and 25D on the lower surface of the operating body 24 are operated.
However, since the movable parts 16C and 16D of the reversing springs 15A and 15B are pressed, the common contact 12B and the fixed contacts 13C and 13D are
D contacts at the same time.

That is, the pair of left switch contacts 22
C and 22D are turned on at the same time, and the control means 8 detects that the operating body 24 is rocked to the left, and moves the cursor or the like displayed on the display unit 6 to the left.

When the operating body 24 is tilted rightward, the pressing portions 25A,
25B is the movable portion 16A, 1 of the reversing spring 15A, 15B.
In order to press 6B, common contact 12A and fixed contact 13
A, the common contact 12A and the fixed contact 13B, that is, the pair of switch contacts 22A and 22B in the right direction are simultaneously conducted, and the control means 8 detects that the operating body 24 is rocked in the right direction, The cursor or the like displayed on the display unit 6 is moved to the right.

As described above, the control means 8 operates the operating body 2
It is configured to detect that 4 has been operated in the up / down / left / right directions and move the cursor, pointer, etc. on the menu displayed on the display unit 6 in the up / down / left / right directions to select a name, a telephone number, or the like. ing.

At this time, the control means 8 operates the operating body only in the case where the pair of switch contacts in the operating direction are contacted and separated within a predetermined time when the operating body is operated in each operating direction. Since it is configured to detect an uncertain operation, if only one switch contact of the pair is conductive, or if the pair of switch contacts is out of conduction for a predetermined time, the control means 8 is configured not to detect the operating direction of the operating body 24.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a pair of switch contacts are provided for each operation direction, and the operating body 2
When 4 is operated in each operation direction, the control means 8 confirms that the pair of switch contacts in the operation direction are in the same electrical contact / separation state for a predetermined time, and detects each operation direction. Thus, it is possible to realize an operation direction detection device that is less likely to occur.

When a switch contact other than the operating direction is contacted or separated during the swinging or tilting operation, the control means 8 is constructed so as not to detect the predetermined operating direction, for example, swinging upward. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection when a combined operation such as tilting to the left while operating is performed.

Further, all switch contacts 22A, 22
After the B, 22C, and 22D continue to be in the same contact / separation state within a predetermined time, the control means is configured to detect an operation in the next operation direction, so that, for example, a swing operation and a tilt operation are combined. When the above operation is performed, the control means 8
However, once the operation is interrupted, all switch contacts 22A,
After confirming that 22B, 22C, and 22D have returned to the same contact / separation state, the next detection is performed, so that the operation direction detection device in which erroneous detection of the control means 8 is unlikely to occur can be realized.

Further, the center of the operating body 24 is formed so as to be pushed backward, and the pushing portions 25A, 25A, 2 are pushed by the pushing operation.
5B, 25C, and 25D are simultaneously moved downward, and the common contact 12A, the fixed contacts 13A and 13B, and the common contact 12B.
And the fixed contacts 13C, 13D, that is, all the switch contacts 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D in the up, down, left, and right directions are simultaneously conducted, so that the control means 8 detects that the operating body 24 is pressed backward. In this case, the name and telephone number etc. selected by the cursor displayed on the display unit 6 can be determined and the call can be made. it can.

In the above description, the case where the switch contacts 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D are integrally formed in the case 21 is used, but other than this, for example,
A structure in which a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate with a center protruding in a dome shape is placed on the fixed contact of the wiring board, and the movable contact is reversed by the operating body to contact and separate the fixed contact, rubber or elastomer. The present invention can be embodied as a configuration in which fixed contacts are brought into and out of contact with each other by a dome-shaped movable contact made of a product, or as a switch contact having a configuration using a single push switch.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that an operation direction detecting device in which an erroneous operation is hard to occur can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation direction detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an electronic device using the device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional operation direction detection device.

FIG. 4 is an external plan view of an electronic device using the same device.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 Display 7 push button 8 Control means 12A, 12B common contact 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D fixed contact 14A, 14B contact piece 15A, 15B Inversion spring 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D Moving part 21 cases 21A support 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D switch contacts 24 Control body 24A fulcrum 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D Pressing part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04M 1/02 H04M 1/02 C 1/23 1/23 E H04Q 7/32 H04B 7/26 V (72 ) Inventor Akio Miyajima 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Prefecture F-term within Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C001 CA00 CA01 CA06 5B020 DD02 HH22 5B087 AB11 BC02 BC08 BC13 5K023 AA07 BB12 GG00 GG08 5K067 AA34 BB04 BB21 BB21

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An operating body capable of performing a vertical swinging operation and a horizontal tilting operation orthogonal thereto, and a plurality of switch contacts for electrically connecting and disconnecting by operating the operating body in each direction. And a control means for detecting the operating direction of the operating body by the contact and separation of the switch contacts, a pair of switch contacts are provided for each swinging and tilting operating direction, and when the operating body is operated in each operating direction, An operation direction detection device in which the control means detects the operation direction of the operation body only when the pair of switch contacts are contacted and separated within a predetermined time. 2. The operation direction detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the control means does not detect the operation direction when the switch contacts other than the operation direction come into contact with or separate from each other when the rocking or tilting operation is performed. 3. The operation direction detection device according to claim 1, wherein the control means detects an operation in the next operation direction after all the switch contacts have been kept in the same contact / separation state within a predetermined time. 4. The operation direction detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the operation body is formed so as to be capable of being pushed backward.